JEEPS EXPEDITION THROUGH AMAZING WINTER AUSTRALIA!
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DESCRIPTION
Australia is an incredible country with truly unique wildlife, pristine rivers, and mesmerizing landscapes. Plenty of sunshine, rich flora and fauna, endless white sandy beaches, crystal-clear blue lagoons, stunning coral reefs, and fascinating Aboriginal culture. It is hard to imagine a better place for an adventurous journey!
Australia is a unique country, almost as large as the USA, excluding Alaska, occupying an entire continent. Everything here seems to follow different laws of nature.
Australia has developed a truly unique ecosystem. Numerous relict animals – echidnas, platypuses, and various marsupials represent the animal kingdom. What about the incredibly charming and unique koalas, wallabies, and wombats! And what could be more interesting than a jeep journey among the unique representatives of Australian flora and fauna?!
Of course, our team has long dreamed of embarking on a full-fledged jeep expedition across Australia, and in June-July 2024, we will do just that!
We will visit the fascinating cities of Melbourne and Adelaide; drive a thousand kilometers along the beautiful "Great Ocean Road"; feel the breath of the ocean near the windy cliffs of the Twelve Apostles; taste the world-famous Australian wines; learn to play the didgeridoo; explore the national parks of the famous Kangaroo Island to see incredible animals like kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, and koalas up close.
We will reach the opal capital - Coober Pedy. Then, near the Painted Hills, we will explore such beautiful places as Alice Springs, the Royal Canyon, Kata Tjuta, the Valley of the Winds, and, of course, we will venture into the heart of the Red Continent to the legendary Uluru, where we will immerse ourselves in the world of Aboriginal legends.
A 15-day program full of diverse and rich experiences. Everything we love: plenty of unique beautiful places, exotic accessible animals, unique photographs, and days filled with emotions, diverse landscapes, delicious food, and excellent comfortable hotels throughout the route...
There will be 2 groups. The first group's route will go from Melbourne to Kangaroo Island - Adelaide - Coober Pedy - Uluru - Alice Springs. The second group will travel in the opposite direction from Alice Springs through Uluru and Coober Pedy to Adelaide and Melbourne.
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ROUTE
IN THE COST OF EXPEDITIONIT INCLUDES:
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accommodation in 3*, 4*, 5* hotels;
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jeep rental for the entire journey;
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car insurance; fuel; ferry payments;
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all excursions as per the program;
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all permits and permissions to visit Australia's protected areas;
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entrance tickets to national parks and reserves specified in the program;
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services of team leaders "Paganel Studio"
EXPEDITION COST DOES NOT INCLUDE:
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flight to Australia,
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visa,
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personal insurance, meals not specified in the program,
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additional options or excursions
TRAVEL PROGRAMME
Day 1
15.06.24
Morning Arrival in Melbourne. Self-transfer. Check-in at a cozy 4-star hotel in the city center, meeting with guides. Rest. Free time. On this day, you can buy SIM cards for internet, exchange money at a favorable rate in the Chinatown.
We take some time to relax and recover after the long and tiring flight to Australia. In the afternoon, drivers get their cars, complete all necessary paperwork, and attend a briefing on Australian traffic rules and road travel. We check the points set on the maps. In the evening, when all team members gather, we have a traditional the Paganels Welcome Evening at one of the restaurants near the hotel. Expedition t-shirts and badges are handed out.
Day 2
16.06.24
This day promises to be very intense and full of exciting experiences. Early wake-up. Quick breakfast (which is not included in the accommodation price). Dress up and wear suitable gear for active walks and light trekking. Bring a rain jacket just in case. Load our belongings into the jeeps. Bid farewell to Melbourne. We head east from Melbourne to the stunning Noojee Waterfalls.
Transfer about 2 hours, followed by a short trek for a couple of hours along a trail amidst tree ferns. These places are considered the wettest and most beautiful in the Australian state of Victoria. We also visit the famous Trestle Bridge Rail Trail, an old railway bridge in the area.
After taking hundreds of photos near two beautiful waterfalls, we return to our cars.
We visit a trout farm, where you can catch fish yourself and barbecue it right there... One of the most popular and beloved attractions among the locals. We continue our journey and reach an Australian wildlife park, where you can not only see but also feed and take photos with almost all Australian animals.
On the first day, you will already see almost all the main representatives of the unique Australian wildlife. What you cannot see in this first park, you will definitely be able to observe on Phillip Island, where we will go in the second half of the day.
Phillip Island is located 150 kilometers south of Melbourne. More than 3.5 million tourists visit the island annually, thanks to the concentration of several nature reserves, parks, and the surrounding tourist infrastructure. Phillip Island is connected to the mainland by a 600-meter concrete bridge, which is how we will arrive at this wonderful place.
A safari on the island, where hundreds of wild wallabies and kangaroos literally dart out from under the car wheels. By evening, we must be on the southwest tip of the island at the Penguin Parade. At the end of the day, crowds of the smallest penguins on the planet return from their hunting grounds.
They emerge from the water, gather in groups, and cross the beach in small crowds. The main natural enemy of penguins is seagulls, which can easily kill a small creature. Therefore, nature has taught penguins to move in flocks and not leave anyone alone.
To observe the beach crossing, grandstands have been built on the shore. Later, you can walk on suspended walkways to see the penguins settling into their overnight places. Any photography is prohibited, as the penguins are afraid of camera flashes. Transfer to a comfortable hotel (4*) on the Mornington Peninsula. Check-in. Dinner. Rest.
Total distance covered: 350 km.
Day 3
17.06.24
Early in the morning after breakfast (which included in accomodation), we of the most beautiful ocean roads on the planet. The general itinerary for exploring the road is as follows: drive at a moderate speed and stop at designated pull-off areas or lookout points. In the southern hemisphere, they are usually called lookouts.
There are hundreds of such spots, so it is essential not to waste time on every single one. For this purpose, we aim to stay together on the route, following the points marked on the maps provided to the drivers during the first day's briefing. Throughout the route, it is important to adhere to the designated speed limits, ranging from 50 to 80 km/h. This is because the road includes sections of mountainous terrain and has left-hand driving, which is unusual for many tourists. Additionally, the picturesque landscapes can distract drivers from the road, tempting them to stop and enjoy the surrounding beauty.
The road mostly runs along the coastline, offering epic ocean panoramas throughout the day! After a series of brief stops for beautiful photos, we visit the quaint village of Lorne, where we can have coffee with a stunning view and stretch our legs a bit. Our next stop and deviation from the Great Ocean Road will be at Kennett River.
There is a small uphill trail in this village. Here, we have excellent chances to observe the wild fauna of southern Australia. Various parrots and other birds are presented here in a wide variety. As you climb higher, pay attention to the dry eucalyptus trees. Where there are stripped eucalyptus trees, koalas have been there. It might take some time to find these cute marsupials, but it's entirely possible! Of course, observing koalas (and capturing their funny portraits) in parks is much more interesting (we will do this on Kangaroo Island). However, what a thrill of searching for these beautiful and rare creatures in the wild!
After our exploration, we continue to the village of Apollo Bay. There are several restaurants here where we can have lunch. We will not have this opportunity again until the evening.
Considering the speed limit on the road is 50-80 km/h, it is important to plan everything so that we can visit the two main points of today's program. We will visit the famous Loch Ard Beach and witness the sunset at the iconic photo spot of southern Australia, the Twelve Apostles.
Few people know that these incredibly beautiful rocks were called "Pig and Piglets" until 1922. Wind and water shaped them into huge columns and arches, and now they stand guard over the coast of the Southern Ocean in the Port Campbell National Park. Today, only eight of them remain; the ocean waters are eroding the symbols of the coastline.
First, we head to Loch Ard, where we park our cars and then descend to the amazingly beautiful beach and bay surrounded by cliffs.
We take the first hundred epic photos and then, an hour before sunset, return to our cars, drive 5 minutes to the Twelve Apostles car park, and take the second hundred epic photos. In the evening, we will amaze our relatives and Facebook friends with our beautiful photo works, making them incredibly jealous :).
After the sunset, we get into our jeeps and make a final short trip of 12 km to the town of Port Campbell, where we have dinner and spend the night in a cozy 4-star hotel.
Total distance covered: 350 km.
Day 4
18.06.24
If we didn't manage to visit the Twelve Apostles at sunset on the previous day, we can do it at sunrise for beautiful, epic photographs. If everything went well the previous day, we can sleep in, have breakfast at the hotel (not included in the stay), load into the jeeps, refuel, and head back to the Great Ocean Road. We visit the lookout points Arche and London Bridge. London Arch was part of a natural double-span bridge until 1990 and was called London Bridge until one of the spans collapsed.
Next, we explore the beautiful Grotto Scenic area and the stunning views of the Bay of Martyrs and Bay of Islands, which, in our opinion, are no less impressive than the views at the Twelve Apostles.
After strolling and taking plenty of photos, we drive to the small Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve, located in the crater of a long-extinct volcano. In the park, there are several interesting hiking trails leading to the hilltops for panoramic views of the surroundings. The Tower Hill volcano erupted about 30,000 years ago. Now, a small lake is located in the volcano's crater. The crater walls are formed from compressed volcanic ash deposited after the eruptions. We spend about an hour or two here, stretching our legs and exploring actively. There are toilets and a coffee shop. If we are lucky, we can see emus, koalas, turtles, a large number of frogs, waterfowl, and other wildlife in the park.
The next 100 km of our journey take us inland. We move away from the Great Ocean Road towards the mountains and Grampians National Park. We'll have lunch in the middle of the day in one of the charming Australian towns along our route. We drive very carefully and cautiously since there are numerous kangaroos on the road. We will see a lot of them in the next couple of days, often and abundantly. The key is to try not to hit these agile animals. Road signs reminding us that these are kangaroo areas are everywhere.
In the evening, the kangaroos' activity increases several times. They love jumping right under the car wheels. Besides kangaroos, emus wander along the roadsides, and dozens of white cockatoos sit around.
There is a lot of wildlife everywhere, even in the hotel parking lot. We reach our overnight destination in the cozy little town of Halls Gap. We check into a comfortable 3+ star hotel. Dinner at the hotel. Rest.
Total distance covered: 240 km.
Day 5
19.06.24
We wake up and have breakfast (not included in the stay). We take photos of kangaroos hopping around and then head into the mountains to explore the local beauty. There are various short treks and walks leading to different famous spots known to Australian photographers.
We visit Boroka Lookout, Balconies, Reed Lookout, McKenzie Falls, and much more. Around midday, we head back towards the Great Ocean Road.
We travel approximately 230 km with stops for restrooms and snacks. Closer to the evening, we arrive at the Petrified Forest. This unique Petrified Forest is a short walk, after which we drive another 25 km to the town of Portland.
We check into a cozy motel (3+*). We have dinner at one of the town's charming restaurants. Rest.
Day 6
20.06.24
We wake up not too early. We need to rest and recuperate after several active days. We have breakfast (not included in the stay). We travel 105 km to the town of Mount Gambier. First, we visit the city's main attraction: the freshwater source and the unique Blue Lake, which changes color depending on the season. Due to the limestone dissolved in the water, which precipitates during warm seasons, binding organic components in the lake, the lake itself undergoes a radical color change, from gray-green in winter to rich blue in summer.
Next, we travel about 70 km to the famous wine region of Coonawarra. It is considered that winemakers in this wine-producing region produce Australia’s best red wines. On a strip of land, nearly 15 kilometers long and only one to two kilometers wide, ideal conditions have been created for growing red grape varieties. Climatically, Coonawarra is comparable to the conditions in the Medoc region of Bordeaux, France.
The Coonawarra region is known for red grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, as well as Merlot and Pinot Noir. We visit several wineries to taste the best wines of the region. Meanwhile, the drivers can enjoy themselves and buy another bottle of wine to enjoy with dinner later.
We spend the night nearby in a comfortable 4-star hotel.
Day 7
21.06.24
Early rise. Today, we have a long transfer (450 km) to the ferry crossing to Kangaroo Island. We have a quick breakfast (included in the stay), grab our coffee, load into the jeeps, and drive with stops for restrooms and refueling to Cape Jervis. By 3 PM, we arrive at the location, check in, take the ferry. A 40-minute sail across the strait accompanied by dolphins, and here we are on Kangaroo Island. We will spend the next 2 nights here. From the Sealink Penneshaw ferry terminal, we head straight to explore the island.
Depending on the ferry's arrival schedule, we try to visit the nearby beautiful bays. If there is time before sunset, we might feed pelicans at the dock.
In any case, your day will be very packed and active. Later, we head to check into our cozy 4-star hotel. Dinner. Rest.
Day 8
22.06.24
We wake up slowly. No need to rush. Breakfast included. We grab our cameras, wear suitable shoes and clothing for walks and varying weather conditions, and load into the cars.
We travel to the west of the island to Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. Here, we can walk through the eucalyptus forest, where dozens of koalas sit on trees. Sometimes they come down to move to nearby trees, providing excellent photo opportunities.
The sanctuary is also home to echidnas, a large number of kangaroos, wallabies roaming around, and a variety of birds. We will have plenty to do during our walk.
Next, we head to the two most outstanding attractions of Kangaroo Island. We enter Flinders Chase National Park. Road signs indicate a speed limit of no more than 60 km/h due to kangaroos hopping on the road, geese wandering around, cockatoos, and many other animals. We drive carefully to avoid harming any wildlife.
Our first stop in this park will be the Remarkable Rocks. Remarkable Rocks are a group of granite boulders of peculiar shapes resting on top of a cliff located in the western part of Flinders Chase National Park.
Most of the Remarkable Rocks are composed of black mica, blue quartz, and pink feldspar. Some boulders are covered in rare orange lichen. It's safe to walk on the slopes in dry weather, but during rain, the rocks become slippery and nearly impossible to traverse. The southern side is the steepest; there have been incidents where unsuspecting visitors slipped into the water. Even without rain, the wind can be strong, so be sure to wear a jacket and something on your head to avoid getting cold.
The second stop in our Flinders Chase Park visit will be Admirals Arch – one of the most impressive natural attractions on Kangaroo Island.
It took thousands of years of erosion to form a sturdy stone bridge that instills genuine awe for the mighty forces of water and wind. Cape du Couedic Lighthouse, located on the western coast, is the main landmark that easily guides you to the wooden boardwalk leading to Admirals Arch.
The viewing platform on top is an excellent spot to observe a colony of New Zealand fur seals. These dark brown mammals happily splash around in the warm waters, catch fish, and peacefully rest on the shore.
There is a restaurant and coffee shop in Flinders Chase Park, where we will have lunch.
Later, we return to the eastern side of the island to catch the evening at Cape Willoughby. Here stands the first lighthouse installed in South Australia, still serving as a navigation aid for ships passing through the narrow strait that separates the mainland from Kangaroo Island. Its height is 75 meters, and its range is 25 nautical miles. The attraction was built in 1852 from limestone and granite quarried from a nearby cliff. In 1923, new lenses were installed, producing remarkably bright light but emitting toxic mercury vapors. Only in 1974 were they replaced with harmless ones, significantly reducing the intensity of the light beam.
After sunset, we return to our hotel. Dinner. Relaxation. The total distance traveled today is about 360 km.
Day 9
23.06.24
Today, there is no need to wake up early. Our ferry is at 10 AM. Therefore, we rise without haste. Breakfast is included. We check out, load into the jeeps. First, we visit (36 km) the beautiful Pennington Bay to admire the local beauty and bid farewell to the wonderful Kangaroo Island.
We travel 27 km and by 10 AM, we are at the Sealink Penneshaw ferry terminal. We check in, load our cars and ourselves onto the ship. By 11 AM, we're on the other side and headed to Adelaide! On the way, we stop at the small German village of Hahndorf, where we can have traditional German cuisine for lunch.
From there, we head to the center of Adelaide. We park our cars and visit the fascinating South Australian Museum, displaying a beautiful exhibition of Aboriginal art from Australia and Melanesian tribes. You can easily spend a couple of hours there.
We have free time. Right in the city center, there are plenty of shops, cafes, and restaurants. We stroll around, shop, and relax.
We check into the hotel (5*). Do not forget to refuel our jeeps in the evening. The total distance traveled today is 210 km.
Day 10
24.06.24
Early rise. Breakfast is not included. Today, we have the longest drive of this journey, so we check out promptly, load into the jeeps, and head towards the center of Australia. Our destination today is the opal capital of the country – Coober Pedy. Despite the long distance, the journey is relatively easy. The good highway allows our jeep convoy to maintain a constant high speed. We stop for toilets and coffee. On the way, we briefly stop to stretch our legs in the ghost town of Woomera.
The town of Woomera received its name from a device that allowed Aboriginal people to throw spears with greater force and speed.
The town is famous for the Woomera Rocket Range, where rocket tests were conducted in the past. Until 1982, Woomera was a closed town, inaccessible to civilians. In the center of the settlement, rockets and airplanes that were once launched from the spaceport are displayed on two platforms. It was from here that the first Australian satellite was launched in 1967.
Currently, there are only about 200 permanent residents there. Many of the houses and buildings where rocket specialists were housed are empty but still in good condition, so it looks strange – a ghost town with trimmed lawns and well-maintained parks, a swimming pool, a bowling alley, and tennis courts.
We continue our journey to Coober Pedy, briefly stopping at the salt lakes, and arrive in the city by evening.
We check into a comfortable 4-star hotel for 2 nights. Dinner. Relaxation.
Day 11
25.06.24
We wake up leisurely. Breakfast is not included. Today, our entire day is dedicated to exploring the unique town of Coober Pedy. Coober Pedy is one of the most unusual, unique places in Australia and possibly the world. The town is known as the Opal Capital of the World.
It houses one of the richest opal deposits, containing about 30% of the world's total opal reserves. While common opal was first discovered in Australia in 1849 during the gold rush, precious opal, found in Coober Pedy, was only discovered in 1915. The name "Coober Pedy" translates from the language of Australian Aboriginals as "white man's hole" or "white man underground."
In this mining town, there are underground churches, museums, art galleries, bars, and even hotels. Water comes from an underground source located 24 km away. Adapting used opal mines for living turned out to be cheaper than building on the surface, where temperatures exceed 50°C, and there are sharp temperature fluctuations and dusty storms.
The underground caves maintain a stable microclimate throughout the year, are much more economical to heat, and cool. This underground mining town of Coober Pedy is undoubtedly one of the most unusual places where people work and live comfortably, utilizing modern technology for their convenience and well-being.
One of the interesting places we will visit today is the "Crocodile's Nest" – a small museum house of Latvian Baron Avid von Blumenthal, also known as Harry Crocodile.
He is the real-life inspiration behind the famous movie character Crocodile Dundee. We will tell you his story in detail on the spot. Trust us; it is extremely interesting and unusual.
Rest and overnight stay in the same hotel.
Day 12
26.06.24
Early rise. Breakfast (not included in the accommodation cost) and morning coffee. Today, we have another significant journey on a comfortable and beautiful road. On this day, we will reach the most sacred place of Australian Aboriginals – Uluru, the sacred mountain.
Sacred mountain Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, is a colossal monolith located in the heart of the continent, the spiritual center of Australia and a sacred site for the Anangu Aboriginal people. Archaeological findings show that Aboriginal people have lived here for at least 22,000 years. Uluru holds numerous legends and stories, and at its base, ancient rock paintings have been preserved. The name "Uluru" is associated with many legends and traditions of the local Anangu people, and the English name "Ayers Rock" was used since colonization. However, in the 1980s, the Aboriginal people reclaimed the mountain's original name – Uluru.
Only a small part of the gigantic rock is visible on the surface; it rises above the desert at 348 meters, with a circumference of nine kilometers, extending into the ground for 5-6 kilometers. Uluru is made of arkose sandstone, a result of erosion of giant granite mountains.
Our local expert guide will explain the significance of Uluru for the indigenous people of this area, the small Aboriginal community living here today, and who owns Uluru. They will also inform you about the reasons why many parts of Uluru cannot be photographed and share many other interesting facts during the journey.
We stroll along the trail around the picturesque base of the rock, passing through caves with rock art and sacred Aboriginal sites. We explore the masterpieces of Aboriginal rock art. We meet the sunset, during which Uluru turns a vibrant crimson color.
The color constantly changes; this spectacle can only be truly appreciated in person, as optics are incapable of conveying this range of hues!
Afterward, we check into a comfortable hotel (4*) in the small town of Uluru. Dinner. Relaxation.
Day 13
27.06.24
Early morning breakfast (which is not included in the accommodation). We pack our belongings, load them into the jeeps, and 20 minutes before sunrise, we meet our expert guide in the hotel lobby and head to a different eastern part of Uluru. You will witness how the "Sacred Mountain" comes to life in the first rays of the sun. Depending on weather conditions, time of day, and season, Uluru displays different colors each time. As guides in these parts say, no two sunrises are ever the same.
Of course, the tales of a colorful spectacle awaiting you might be slightly exaggerated, but combined with the information you have already received, the sight you will behold is undoubtedly mesmerizing! After leaving the panoramic platform for the sunrise, together with the guide, we will walk along a path to the sacred water well in Uluru, formed by a stream flowing from the mountain.
Here, we will see original Aboriginal rock paintings dating back over 5000 years. The guide will share the significance of rock art in the lives of the indigenous people, narrate Aboriginal legends, show you photos of other rock paintings, and explain their meanings.
Next, we will visit the Valley of the Winds and another legendary and sacred place of Australian Aboriginals called Kata Tjuta/Mount Olga.
In the local Anangu tribe's language, Kata Tjuta translates to "Many Heads."
Due to a request from the famous Australian-German naturalist and physician Baron von Mueller, the rock was named after Queen Olga, the wife of German King Charles I of Württemberg, in 1846.
The stone formation had the official name - Mount Olga until 1993, and in English atlases, this mountain is often referred to as Olgas, which translates to Olga literally. Then it was given a dual name: Mount Olga/Kata Tjuta. In 2002, the decision was made to put the original name first: Kata Tjuta/Mount Olga.
The local tribes believe that Kata Tjuta is guarded by spirits. The shadows of ancestors are so sensitive to any activity that even mentioning their names near the rock is forbidden. This place is a vital part of secret ceremonies conducted by men of various tribes. Therefore, access to knowledge about the religious aspect related to Kata Tjuta is limited, just like access to specific areas of the rock. Women-Anangu can sometimes walk near the rock, gather plants, and small animals when no ceremonies are taking place, but they are also prohibited from entering the areas traditionally used by men.
Since a limited number of initiated men possess information about Kata Tjuta, the legends, traditions, and stories associated with this rock are mostly unknown. The Aboriginals do not share most ancient oral stories, as they are considered "too sacred."
After exploring Kata Tjuta, we will have a short lesson in traditional Aboriginal painting with a real master of this craft from the Anangu tribe.
Later, lunch and a 460 km drive to the town of Alice Springs. Check-in for two nights at a cozy hotel (4*). Dinner. Relaxation.
Day 14
28.06.24
We sleep in, have a leisurely breakfast (which is not included in the accommodation). We meet our expert guide and set out to explore the surroundings of Alice Springs. The first place we visit is the grave of the legendary John Flynn, the founder of the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
He is an extremely well known and respected figure in Australia. After the tour, we explore the town of Alice Springs on our own. Stroll around, do some shopping, visit cafes. If possible, we arrange an optional didgeridoo playing masterclass for those interested.
In the second half of the day, we decide on a meeting point, get behind the wheels of our jeeps, and drive 7 km to Alice Springs Desert Park which presents the Australian desert environment and its inhabitants.
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We return to the town and gather at one of the city's restaurants. Farewell dinner together. Exchange impressions about the expedition. Relaxation.
Day 15
29.06.24
We wake up peacefully, have breakfast (which is not included in the accommodation). Checkout from the hotel. We leave the jeeps in the hotel parking lot. We bid farewell to each other and the team of guides. Tears of parting. We say goodbye to amazing Australia. Independent transfer to Alice Springs Airport, flying back home...
IMPORTANT!
Due to the fact that our expeditions do not include international flights to the starting point of the program, we cannot be held responsible for changes in flight conditions by airlines or airport requirements. Since our travelers fly from many different countries and cities, we never participate in the purchase of air travel and limit ourselves exclusively to advisory services in the selection of flights. Air agents or airlines from which tickets were purchased are responsible for the purchase and technical support.
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Since most of the expenses for the organization of the trip are air tickets and travel documents for other types of transport, accommodation, excursions, services of local companies and guides, etc. are not refundable in case of your cancellation of the trip. We simply have no way to return it.
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